Icehawks News from the Nest - October 4, 2012

Well, much has happened since I last wrote to you. The midgets’ season is well underway. All travel team rosters have been finalized and pre-season practices continue at Danbury. The mite tryouts are complete and 2 mite teams are ready to go. Travel team jerseys have been distributed. You get the point!

But, believe it or not, there’s still a lot more to do in the coming weeks. Here’s a quick “To Do” list for those that like to keep track of things that way.

1. Find Team Managers

Behind every good coach, there’s a good team manager. The team manager is responsible for making sure players know about schedule changes, handing out paperwork from time to time, entering game results on the web site and mailing in score sheets. There are a few other responsibilities, all of which are important to a smooth running youth hockey team. If you are interested in volunteering as a team manager, please contact the team’s coach.

2. Bring New Skaters Into the Northwestern Family

In my opinion, Northwestern Hockey’s Intro to Hockey program is the most important program we run. It is the first program that most everyone experiences when they learn to skate and play hockey and it is a crucial feeder for our travel teams. Our Intro to Hockey programs begin on October 20th at Canterbury and November 18th at the Gunnery, so we’re getting ready to send flyers to the schools to get the word out. If you know of anyone who is interested in having their child experience a winter of fun and healthy exercise, please let them know about Northwestern Hockey. We have complete details on our web site, including an up-to-date schedule, a full equipment list and online registration instructions.

3. Try Hockey for Free Day

Well, for the third year in a row, Northwestern Hockey will be participating in USA Hockey’s nationwide initiative called Try Hockey for Free Day. The date is November 3rd and we will be inviting children 8 and under to Canterbury between 8:30 a.m. and 9:30 a.m. to give ice hockey a try. We have an hour of fun and games planned, so please help spread the word. Pre-registration is required. Visit www.tryhockeyforfree.com for more information and to register.

4. Snack Bar

For those that have visited the Gunnery before, you know that nothing helps warm you up like a nice cup of hot chocolate or coffee. Well, maybe that’s a bit overstated, but we are responsible for running the snack bar at the Gunnery and we are in need of a community service-minded person who will help stock the snack bar with appropriate snacks and drinks. So if you’re an experienced Costco shopper and you can devote a half hour or so each week to making a delivery to the Gunnery, please consider volunteering. Contact me if you’re interested.

5. Order Personalized Water Bottles

Many of you saw the personalized water bottles that we’re selling this year. We would like to place this order next week. So, if you’re interested in ordering a water bottle, please have your order in by October 8th.

Don’t forget to follow Northwestern Hockey on Facebook at facebook.com/northwesternhockey. I told you we had quite the To Do list...and this is all before the season really starts!